Feet Up! The Work Boot Thread

[Highwaymanman]

Urgh, I'm a bootaholic. They are my babies. Not counting of course my actual human baby.

Frye Rand in black
Frye Rand in brown
Frye Arkansas in cognac
Dr Marten's For Life in dark brown
Red Wing 8146 in briar oil slick
Red Wing 8173 in abilene rough out
White's semi dress in black

and a pair of Alden long wings in #8 shell

 

[Seb Lucas]

Urgh, I'm a bootaholic. They are my babies. Not counting of course my actual human baby.

Frye Rand in black
Frye Rand in brown
Frye Arkansas in cognac
Dr Marten's For Life in dark brown
Red Wing 8146 in briar oil slick
Red Wing 8173 in abilene rough out
White's semi dress in black

and a pair of Alden long wings in #8 shell

Only one I've heard of is Dr Martens. Had them once 20 years ago - sole wore out in 8 months. I'm glad you enjoy footwear - nothing wrong with that.

 

[Highwaymanman]

I notice you're an Aussie.... I've had a couple pairs of Blundstones over the years too, but while they are great boots they don't wear quite as hard as legend would have it. R.M. Williams have always been on my radar but boy they aren't cheap.

 

[Grayland]

I notice you're an Aussie.... I've had a couple pairs of Blundstones over the years too, but while they are great boots they don't wear quite as hard as legend would have it. R.M. Williams have always been on my radar but boy they aren't cheap.

I have both Blundstone and RM Williams. The Blunnies are some type of injection molded sole and very clunky in appearance, but good for bad weather conditions and farting around. The RM Williams are Goodyear welted, very high quality footwear. I have the Craftsman model. I paid about $100 for the Blunnies and $200 for the RM Williams (bought when the dollar was very strong - they are now about $300)

The Alden Longwings in #8....can't get much better than that.

 

[Fanch]

The Alden Longwings in #8....can't get much better than that.

I've been waiting for someone to mention Alden's Shell Cordovan Color #8 although I would choose Alden's Indy Boot over their Wing Tip Boot.

 

[Highwaymanman]

I always thought the soles were the weak point of Blundstones. The profile is great and the leather very hard wearing. Both pairs I've had could have kept on rocking but for the soles. I even had the first pair resoled by a cobbler who claimed he could do it.... he could but they were never the same and it wasn't worth the savings I'd have made on a new pair.

I think I'm a bit over Chelsea style work boots these days. I guess have enough pairs that I can wear something a bit more specialized for different circumstances. Chelsea boots're a strange mix of rugged and dressy with the RM Williams a little out of my price point for an all purpose boot. I've had serious cravings in the RM WIlliams store however, they make some beautiful footwear. if you only owned one pair of boot though, Blundstones are a great and cost effective choice.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I wear Blundstones - they're cheap and I get about a year out of a pair. I've had several RM Williams - they constantly need a re-sole ad they are slippery. Not worth the money.

 

[tropicalbob]

I think I mentioned in another thread that Frye's Jackson Engineer boot is a great match with a brown Aero. Some of the Engineers I've seen lately kind of remind me of the corrective shoes the kids with clubfeet had to wear when I was a kid. The Fryes are styled somewhere between a cowboy and an engineer and have a sleeker look. Comfortable, too.
There's also an outfit called Etiquetta Negra, from Argentina, that I got an incredibly beautiful pair of almost knee-high lace-up boots from that also go well with the Aero.

 

[Ben Langworthy]

I've been eyeing up the Iron Rangers for quite a few years now but funds were never at the ready! I've got a couple of pairs of Red Wings: some battered and re-soled anniversary 1909's that i found in a vintage shop years back, and a pair of 8173's that turned up in a local market.

So what with needing new work shoes I went ahead and bought some barely worn black IR's in a UK 10. I knew the size was a risk but on arriving they are just to big (I should have known better really). It's a shame because they are blooming lovely and truly are mint! They can only have been worn a couple of times.

I've wanted a pair of these for god knows how long but one day ONE DAY I'l own a pair that fits!!!

Anyway I'l be putting them back on the bay before long, so if anyone's interested or better yet wanted to swap them for a pair of UK 9.5's please let me know

 

[Bunyip]

I got some IR in Australia 3 months ago, had to send them back as they were half a size too small. The Australian supplier. Had to refund as they couldn't get 13s and they also only come in medium width. I was pretty disappointed. To be honest, the construction and finish didn't really impress, I was quite surprised, but they sure are a nice looking pair of boots. Saving for some whites semi dress instead..

 

[Sloan1874]

Aero Boots

Aero taking a step back into the world of footwear with their own heavy boots:

http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/news-detail.php?id=146

 

[Edward]

I just stumbled across these on Facebook this morning. Definitely worth a perusal. The other boots they've sold in recent years were, I believe, from Lennon; I wodner who is producing these? Interesting to see they're having them specifically branded as Aero. Look to be a competitive price, too - just slightly more expensive than the nearest Lennon equivalent. Not sure if Lennon do the Horween hides, or if that would add to their price? I do like the idea of being able to buy boots to match my Horween jackets (mine are horse, but I've handled the Horween steer, and like for like colours are a dead on colour match, irrespective of steer or horse, it seems).

I would assume they're aiming these at the RedWing (or similiar) buyer, which works. They're about £40 to £50 below street price for a pair of Iron Rangers, which is attractive. I'd love to see them with a toe-cap, or a moc toe - maybe more variation will come if these prove popular.

 

[Two Types]

Any idea who actually has the contract to make the boots? The website just says 'Northampton'.

 

[Sloan1874]

Afraid I can't help you there. Rachel at Aero said they're pretty much 'to size' as well ie a seven fits like a seven. Would love the cordovan, even if I don't have a cordovan jacket. What's the current etiquette on matching jackets/boots/belts?

 

[Edward]

I like to match, personally. Cordovan mixes okay with both brown and black; brown and black together always looks off to me.

 

[wdw]

Yeah, that's why I like cordovan. It goes with anything.

 

[Sloan1874]

Yes, tonally, cordovan compliments the other colours, but brown and black can fight a little. Mind you, I say this as somebody who has thrown a dark brown jacket on with a pair of black boots and black cords.

 

[Rudie]

The boots are nice, but I don't get a very vintage vibe from them. Lots of similar looking boots available today. I wish they would make boots with a curvier rear and speed laces. Something like this:

I wonder why none of the makers bother to get the shape right when they claim to go for authentic vintage style.

 

[Edward]

Those don't look a million miles away from an Iron Ranger in shape.

I'd like to see the Aeros with a moc toe or a toecap (the remind me of the RedWing Beckman with the plain toe as is, actually). An optional rubber sole would be nice for the wet.

 

[Rudie]

You mean more like two million miles away? The Iron Ranger has much less rear curve than these shoes. Totally different profile.